Pure comparative negligence is best described as?

• A. Pure comparative negligence assigns damages in proportion to fault; contributory negligence bars recovery in some jurisdictions.
• B. Contributory negligence bars recovery in all jurisdictions.
• C. Most jurisdictions follow pure contributory negligence.
• D. Damages are never reduced for fault.

Answer: (A)

Pure comparative negligence means damages are awarded in proportion to each party’s fault. The plaintiff can recover, but the amount is reduced by the plaintiff’s own percent of fault. For example, if total damages are $100,000 and the plaintiff is 80% at fault, the plaintiff would recover $20,000. This stands in contrast to contributory negligence, where in some places any fault by the plaintiff bars recovery entirely, and to other forms like modified rules. The key idea is that fault determines how much of the damages are paid, not an all-or-nothing bar.